I have a buddy who recently asked me to put a Tsunami decoder and a speaker into his Athearn RTR SD-40. He also asked me if I could install LED’s for the front and rear lights. Before giving me the locomotive, he yanked out the factory installed 1.5v Athearn peanut bulbs and discarded them.
I have no problem with the Tsunaim and speaker (I’ve done several dozen of these so far) and the LED’s are fairly simple, my problem is what do I do about the void where the old light bulbs use to be? I don’t what to return the finished locomotive to him with voids where the old bulbs use to be.
I have heard of MV lenses and think that they may just be the answer to my problem, but I have no idea which model number MV lenses to purchase for the Athearn RTR SD-40. I am hoping that someone can point me in the right direction here, or maybe suggest a different way of installing LED’s where the holes will be filled.
I use plastruct clear rod, I think 3/32s but it’s been a while since I bought them and can’t remember I just pull them out of the drawer. I hold one end over a match and turn the rod continuously/evenly–after a while it will start to get soft and so you want to hold it somewhat vertical so that a mushroom forms. Don’t get it too hot or hold it there too long or it will get too dark or form a glob. The mushroom will normally be pretty much perfectly round, but if it’s not you can touch it with some sandpaper. It’s OK to just cut some off and try again–this is an art but makes perfect light pipes that work just like the OEMs. I do this for class lights too, etc. Once the mushroom end is formed you can custom bend/cut the lightpipe for your install.
Detail Associates make lenses for Athearn locos. Part # 1709. Highball Graphics has a couple of packs in stock www.mgdecals.com (scroll down nearly to the bottom of the page).
MV lenses have a mirrored backing that has to be scraped off (a real pia).
It’s the 1/16 he wants. I just ordered some, and it measures out to just over 1.5mm.
On mine I cut it to 3/8 inch lengths, then sanded the cuts with 800 grit sandpaper. Then followed it up by using a very fine abrasive polish with the felt wheel in my Dremel on 3.5. Works just as good.